þjóðin

Þjóðin is the definite form of the Icelandic noun þjóð, meaning “the people” or “the nation.” The term can denote the citizens of a state as a political community, the cultural or ethnic unit associated with a nation, or the concept of national unity. In everyday Icelandic, it is often distinguished from the more informal fólk, which means “the people” in a casual sense. Þjóðin tends to appear in formal, historical, or political contexts and in discussions of national identity.

In political or historical discourse, þjóðin is used when referring to the nation as a collective entity, including duties, rights, and collective welfare. It can appear in discussions of national policy, identity, or commemorations. Because of its formal tone, it is sometimes contrasted with everyday references to the people or with more colloquial expressions for the general populace.

Etymology and form: The word derives from Old Norse þjóð and has cognates in other North Germanic languages; it belongs to a common semantic field for “people” or “nation.” The definite singular is formed by adding the suffix -in to the stem, yielding þjóðin, which marks “the nation” or “the people” as a specific, identifiable entity. Related terms include þjóðfélag (society) and þjóðerni (nationality).